March Newsletter 2021

Apr 8, 2021 | Newsletters | 0

The Sista team kicked off March full speed ahead. With a few projects lined up for the week of International Women’s Day, we found ourselves incredibly busy but delighted to see how many organisations and government departments celebrated women in their respective workplaces.

Other key events that occurred this month included securing the Spotlight Grant with our partner HCDI, signing our partnership agreement with We Rise Coalition and receiving a donation from Olsem Wanem? and Green Wave Vanuatu.

We Rise Coalition partnership

On March 23^rd 2021, Sista signed an agreement with the We Rise Coalition to formalise our commitment to building and sustaining women’s collective power through movements. Sista is one of the four new partners who have joined the coalition including Talitha Project – Tonga, Brown Girl Woke – Samoa, Voice for Change – PNG, and we now have the opportunity to access resources and support to strengthen our work to impact change in our community.

Spotlight grant application

We were thrilled to hear that our application with HCDI for the Spotlight Initiative was successful. Over the next few months we will be working together to use Pacific-based storian methods to raise GBV awareness and promote change.

100 000vt donation from Olsem Wanem? and Green Wave Vanuatu

Finally we are thankful to Olsem Wanem? and Green Wave Vanuatu who produced different size and coloured t-shirts for girls, women and men to celebrate International Women’s Day. 50 shirts with ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun-damental Rights’ sold for 2000vt and Sista received an incredible 100 000vt. Tank yu tumas blong bifala sapot!

International Women’s Day Events and Projects

‘Nation-Builders: Celebrating Women in Public Service’ booklet, Balance of Power

Following Vanuatu’s 40th Independence photographic exhibition celebrating women in public service last year, Balance of Power collaborated with Sista again to produce a booklet to mark this year’s International Women’s Day. With barely a month to prepare, the Sista team, lead by the Project Officer Elisa Mondou, worked with Rebecca Olul-Hossen, editor, Telstar Jimmy, layout and design, and Andrew Kaltongga, digital artist for front cover, with support from Polinet for creative direction. The booklet was launched on Wednesday 10^th March at the Prime Minister’s office.

‘Expo VF’ International Women’s Day Exhibition, Alliance Francaise

Sista used it’s networks to link artist Carole Reocreux with activists to produce her art works, as well as supported CARE’s Young Women’s Leadership Alumni to prepare for it’s own installation, asking young women – ‘What is the change you want to see?’

The exhibition was launched on Tuesday 9^th march and a panel discussion was held on Friday 12^th March called ‘Wanem ia taem yu fren?’ (What is dating?) with guest speakers Melissa Bule, Guilaine Nauni, Umi Nompavos and Florence Tamara, with Irene Abbock moderating.

The discussions centred what it’s like to date in Vanuatu – why is it taboo, what does a date look like, how do you develop and maintain a relationship, why do families and the community get involved, why don’t parents talk to their children about sex, where do children learn about sex and what do they wish they were told before they started dating. All the panellists expressed that they wished they had been given more information about relationships and sex. The discussions were met positively with audience members expressing their thanks for the open conversation, including a first time mama, a mother with a teenage daughter and a pastor, who said, “We don’t talk to our children about sex because it’s taboo in our culture. But the world is changing and if we don’t talk to our children about these things, we will end up losing our culture.”

Australia High Commission Hanson Mataskelekele and Andy Lynch Awards

Sista edited biographies, took photos and designed the layout of posters featuring the nominees of the annual Hanson Mataskele and Andy Lynch International Women’s Day Awards. Elizabeth Naupa Pechan received the 2021 Hanson Mataskelekele Award for Women in Leadership and Jilda Shem was awarded the 2021 Andy Lynch Award for Excellence in the Community Sector. Thank you Australia High Comm for letting us do what we love best – celebrating women.

‘Sista Gat Style’ Life and Style magazine

This month we celebrated Stephanie Senei Mahuk – a lawyer, surfer, environmentalist and activist, and big siSTAR to her community. Thank you Stef for stepping into your power and showing others how to unlock theirs!

Advocacy

VPride Human Rights Inclusion Policy Advocacy Event

VPride will be hosting an event in April that will focus on human rights inclusion for people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE). To demonstrate solidarity, Sista will be supporting VPride through the We Rise Coalition and is preparing for the event.

Ministry of Justice and Community Services

The Public Service Commission (PSC) terminated the Director General (DG) of Justice and Community Welfare, Dorosday Kenneth Watson. She will be suing them for unlawful termination. Sista is deeply concerned that the Ministry of Justice and Community Services is being dissolved without due process given that it is responsible for a number of agencies within the justice system. We stand in solidarity with Dorosday Kenneth Watson and are preparing advocacy strategies to hold the government accountable.

Projects

COVID 19/TC Harold MHPSS Support Program

Monday 15^th of March to Sunday 21^th of March 2021

Sista’s Project Officer, Elisa Mondou, was deployed to do community awareness on MHPSS on the island of Pentecost to three villages with a team that consisted of 1 Mind Care nurse, 3 volunteers and 1 logistics officer from IsraAid.

CSW65

The sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place from 15 to 26 March 2021. Usually held every year over 10 days at the UN Headquarters in New York, CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. This year due to COVID-19, the meetings will be held virtually.

Sista, represented by Yasmine Bjornum, participated in a side event with We Rise Coalition to explore: “Pacific Perspectives on COVID19: Feminist movement response and recovery”.

Triennial

The virtual 14th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women will be held from 27 – 29 April 2021 followed by the 7th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women on 4 May 2021. The 3 key priorities are gender responsive climate justice, women’s economic empowerment and gender based violence and the theme is ‘Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future – Empowering All Women in the Blue Pacific Continent’.

Sista, represented by Irene Abbock, is preparing to participate in a side event in April with We Rise Coalition to explore ‘Women of the Blue Pacific – Leading the response and recovery in times of crisis.’ We are also potentially holding a pre-triennial but this is dependent on other projects, available resources and woman power.

Planning and Preparation

Review of the child maintenance act, PPAC SPC

Sista met with the Department of Women’s Affairs to ensure that our planning is aligned with the national women’s machinery, who are reviewing all the legislation and acts related to women and children through the launch of the upcoming National Gender Equality Policy 2021 – 2030. Sista will no longer be doing a petition to review the child maintenance act as the government has expressed that it must be reviewed. We are currently adjusting our work plan to ensure it supports the work of the Department of Women’s Affairs.

Sista Fashion Show, Ambassade de France

Sista will be moving its fashion show to September and amending the work plan so that it does not conflict with other similar events that are happening. We are excited to be bring in new partners and look forward to sharing more in the months to come.

Other

Covid 19 Reporting and Protecting information Integrity workshop, ABC and IFE

Sista is thankful to have been a part of the Covid-19 Reporting and Protecting Information Integrity workshop that took place on the 30th of March. It aimed to give journalists tools to deal with Covid-19 misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, and hate speech. It addressed some of these issues through targeted capacity-building for journalists and social media influencers in Vanuatu, to help them report accurately and inclusively on COVID-19. The program was supported by ABC International Development and International Foundation of Electoral System.

Not ‘Just’ A Girl Spoken Word Festival, Gate Minds

Sista’s Executive Director also had the pleasure of attending Gate Minds ‘Not ‘Just’ A Girl’ spoken word festival on March 27^th as a guest judge. The event showcased talented teenage girls delivering powerful messages through spoken word.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Follow Sista

Port Vila

◉

23°

Thunder

SunMonTue

30/24°C
29/23°C
29/23°C

NEWS

Priest Cleared of Rape Charges March 14, 2023
The Supreme Court of Vanuatu has acquitted Mr. Henry Crowby on two charges of sexual intercourse without consent, contrary to sections 90 and 91 of the Penal Code [CAP135]. It follows allegations of Mr. Crowby, an Anglican Priest, committing the offence at a motel in February and at his home in March last year. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. When handing the verdict, Supreme Court Judge James Paul Geoghegan stated that in assessing the evidence, the court has found the defendant, Mr. Crowby, and all defense witnesses to be straightforward and consistent in the way in which they gave their evidence and accepted it. He evaluated that the inconsistencies of the accuser party, both during the course of her evidence, and in respect of her account of events to others raises not only a reasonable doubt but a very significant doubt regarding Mr. Crowby’s guilt. Mr. Crowby acknowledged the fact that he is proven not guilty, but this is not the end of the legal proceedings, as he is filing a case for defamation against the opposition parties, for tarnishing his reputation as a chief, Priest, father and leader in the community. He commented that the court stated that the public solicitor and police failed to proof adequate evidence to prove him guilty of the charges laid. Mr. Crowby commented that the accusations had placed pressure upon him and his families. Mr. Crowby admitted that he is relieved with the given judgment on February 14, 2023, and affirmed that a defamation case is in progress. _______________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: Vanuatu Daily Post

read more...
Vanuatu Braces for Impending Category 3 Cyclone February 28, 2023
Vanuatu is bracing for the impact of a Category 2 cyclone, which is expected to intensify to a Category 3 over the course of this week. This was confirmed by Anthony Wong, the Weather Forecaster at the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD). Tropical Cyclone (TC) Judy is moving in a south-southwesterly direction. The cyclone is expected to move through the islands of Vanuatu starting from TORBA to TAFEA. Wong stated that TORBA province should expect a Category 1 cyclone at around 11pm on the previous day, but the intensity of the cyclone is expected to rise to Category 2 from the morning up until lunch. The cyclone’s intensity is predicted to increase to Category 3 when it moves through SHEFA and TAFEA, before decreasing back to Category 2 as it moves out of Vanuatu. However, this prediction has yet to be confirmed. The VMGD has issued alerts to prepare people for the cyclone season. Blue alerts predict a cyclone that is expected after 48 hours, while a Yellow alert predicts a cyclone in the next 36 hours, and a Red alert predicts a cyclone that is expected within the next 24 hours. People must be aware of what to expect during a cyclone, including heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and rough seas. Wong also mentioned that another cyclone is expected to form, but it is likely to be a tropical low. However, a cyclone has formed in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia, and Vanuatu is also expected to be affected by it. ______________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

read more...
First Nations Writers Founder visits Vanuatu February 22, 2023
First Nations Writers, a charitable organisation based in Australia, is making waves in the literary world by promoting the work of indigenous authors and writers from the Greater Pacific. The organisation’s founder and chairperson, Mrs. Anna Borzi AM, recently explained the role of First Nations Writers, and how it aims to reward the cultural and intellectual creativity of writers and creatives from the Greater Pacific. Mrs. Borzi is currently in Vanuatu, where she met with local writers who have been writing for a long time. She explained that First Nations Writers wants to attract more writers to tell stories from the Pacific and take these stories internationally. Mrs. Borzi is convinced that no one can write about Vanuatu better than someone from Vanuatu who understands the culture and language. This is why the organization is encouraging people from the Pacific to share their stories. During her trip, Mrs. Borzi also visited the University and bookshops in Vanuatu to see the culture of writing there. She highlighted the importance of the stories of ordinary people in the villages, which are historically significant over a long period of time. First Nations Writers visited Fiji, where they met with wonderful people and writers who were eager for international platforms to share their stories. The organisation is now planning to host its second festival in May, which will feature contemporary artists and authors from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The festival will also award ten winners with AUSD5, 000 each, and the organization will help to publish their books. Mrs. Borzi is hoping to host the festival in Vanuatu in 2023, where she believes it will have a significant impact on the literary world. First Nations Writers is committed to promoting and rewarding the work of indigenous authors and creatives from the Greater Pacific. First Nations Writers is a unique organisation that also gives awards to deserving writers with the help of independent judges. The goal is to collect as many stories as possible from the Greater Pacific and to publish and share these stories with the world. The organisation is regulated in Australia. _____________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: Vanuatu Daily Post

read more...
MAV Executive acknowledges role of radio broadcasters February 14, 2023
The 12th edition of World Radio Day (WRD) was celebrated on February 13, 2023, with the theme “Radio and Peace.” The newly elected Media Association blong Vanuatu (MAV) congratulated all radio broadcasters in Vanuatu and recognizes the importance of radio in communicating information to a wide audience. “The theme ‘Radio and Peace’ reminds us of the fundamental role the radio plays to communicate information to our people, especially during conflicts and natural disasters, and in promoting peace and stability in the country,” MAV President Lillyrose Welwel said. The day also celebrates radio’s ability to improve international cooperation between broadcasters, promote access to information, freedom of expression, and gender equality over the airwaves. Every year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) plans activities with broadcasters, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), national authorities, and the public to celebrate WRD. MAV President Welwel highlighted radio’s ability to reach the widest audience in Vanuatu, besides newspapers, and its role in exchanging information, providing social interchange, and educating people. Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity’s diversity and democratic discourse, and radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a variety of programs, viewpoints, and content, and reflecting the diversity of audiences in their organizations and operations. ___________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

read more...
Santo Women’s Network aids cyclone, landslide victims February 13, 2023
The Santo Sunset Environment Women’s Network (SSEWN) has taken the initiative to provide aid to the affected villagers in North West Santo following the recent natural disasters that hit the area. Malpoi village was severely impacted by the recent cyclone and subsequent landslide, which caused damage to the land and made it difficult for the villagers to move around due to the mud. After conducting an assessment, SSEWN found that the villagers were in dire need of humanitarian relief supplies and assistance, as all of their gardens had been destroyed and their water sources contaminated. In response, the SSEWN team traveled back to their base in Tasmate to gather the necessary supplies for distribution to the affected families. Some families had to relocate to a safer area due to the landslide, and SSEWN is stepping forward as the first Non-Government Organisation to offer assistance to the community in North West Santo. Chairman of SSEWN, Allan Taman, emphasized the importance of providing aid to the community, who are in need of support during this challenging time. SSEWN is demonstrating its commitment to helping those in need, and their quick response to the natural disaster highlights the importance of aid organizations in providing assistance during times of crisis. _____________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

read more...

Join Us